Make Up Your Own Mind!

Go and have a look for yourself

I travel about 42,000 kilometres a year in my four wheel drive. While livestock agents and buyers probably go twice that far, my average speed registers at just below 50 km/h. So, for every hour spent cruising the open highway, there’s at least one more chugging around rural New England properties at a little above walking pace.

It works out to be about 16+ hours a week of my life is spent behind the wheel showing people around our district and properties. This is an integral part of what I, as a rural property agent, do. Far from being idle time, I see this time not only about “showing” properties, but also as an opportunity to engage in 16 hours of very close conversation with clients. It allows me to develop a healthy relationship, and so learn more about the clients’ needs and aspirations.

Whilst it occasionally happens, very rarely do I consider property inspections to be “a waste of time” even if the client does not end up buying the property.

Recently, I have had both sides try to dissuade me from conducting inspections. Believe it or not, I have had sellers tell me not to bring a particular party out, as they are “only tyre-kickers” and also have had potential buyers tell me (about a different property), “no, I’ve heard about that place, it’s not what we’re after”.

To the owner of the first place I say, let me worry about whether they are tyre-kickers or not. Having the opportunity to get to know someone better, is only going to allow me to better negotiate on your behalf. Oh, and never judge a book by its cover. They might just be the ones ready to make the best offer.

To the buyer I say, make up your own bloody mind! When we’re travelling together, take it as an opportunity to have a good look at the property and engage with me so I can hone in on what you are looking for. And another thing, ask yourself whether those who influence you to think the place is not for you,

1. Have a vested interest in not having you there (maybe they want to buy it, maybe they want to sell you something else)
2. Know what they’re talking about and/or
3. Have ever been over the property (as opposed to driven past the front gate)

I am sure we have all heard plenty of experts express opinions of things about which they have little or no knowledge.

I enjoy engaging with people. I enjoy driving around our district, offering and receiving knowledge to and from those I deal with. I love climbing that hill in the back paddock with the awesome vantage point of the district, so the jigsaw of New England starts to come together for them. Who knows, we may well be standing on the very piece that is most suitable.

Most of all, I get great satisfaction striking a deal where both buyer and seller are happy. Integral to the process is creating the opportunity for buyers to make up their own mind…

Graham MacDougall
MacDougall Rural Property
02 6772 4200

Graham MacDougall has a lifetime association with rural property. In addition to over 30 years in the cattle industry, for the past 12 years he has been specialising in the marketing of commercial agriculture and rural lifestyle properties in northern New South Wales.